<p>I’m only familiar with Mid-Atlantic schools. Your SAT score should make you eligible for substantial merit aid at many less selective private colleges. Many of those colleges are not well known nationally, but have very good nursing programs. </p>
<p>I would definitely aim towards direct entry colleges, as opposed to 2-2. You will find that most nursing programs in the northeast are direct entry, while most in the southeast are 2-2. </p>
<p>I would try to find a program that is near at least one major hospital. Some of the programs in small towns and rural areas offer fewer clinical choices or require very long drives to get to clinicals. Some do some of their clinicals inside state prisons, because of a lack of other choices.</p>
<p>I would also check out air fare from various metro areas during various times of the year when you would want to come home. It can make a big difference in total costs. </p>
<p>You can run the cost calculator for various colleges to get a sense of what would be affordable. Some public universities have very reasonable out of state tuition, while others are very expensive. </p>